81 FR 67351 - Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 190 (September 30, 2016)
| Page Range | 67351-67353 | |
| FR Document | 2016-23613 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 190 (Friday, September 30, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 67351-67353] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-23613] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION [OMB 3060-0667 and 3060-1104] Information Collections Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission AGENCY: Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice and request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520), the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collections. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees. The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid OMB control number. DATES: Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before November 29, 2016. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible. ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to Cathy Williams, FCC, via email [email protected] and to [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: OMB Control Number: 3060-0667. Title: Section 76.630, Compatibility with Consumer Electronics Equipment; Section 76.1621, Equipment Compatibility Offer; Section 76.1622, Consumer Education of Equipment Compatibility. Form Number: Not applicable. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities. Number of Respondents and Responses: 8,250 respondents; 66,501 responses. Estimated Time per Response: .017 hours-3 hours. Frequency of Response: Recordkeeping and third party disclosure requirements; On occasion reporting requirement. Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection is contained in Section 4(i) and Section 632 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. Total Annual Burden: 17,353 hours. Total Annual Cost: $1,355. Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No impact(s). Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: There is no need for confidentiality with this collection of information. Needs and Uses: 47 CFR 76.630(a) states a cable system operator shall not scramble or otherwise encrypt signals carried on the basic service tier. This requirement is subject to certain exemptions explained below. Requests for waivers of this prohibition, which are allowed under 47 CFR 76.630(a)(2), must demonstrate either a substantial problem with theft of basic tier service or a strong need to scramble basic signals for other reasons. As part of this showing, cable operators are required to notify subscribers by mail of waiver requests. The notice to subscribers must be mailed no later than thirty calendar days from the date the request waiver was filed with the Commission, and cable operators must inform the Commission in writing, as soon as possible, of that notification date. The notification to subscribers must state: On (date of waiver request was filed with the Commission), (cable operator's name) filed with the Federal Communications Commission a request for waiver of the rule prohibiting scrambling of channels on the basic tier of service. The request for waiver states (a brief summary of the waiver request). A copy of the request for waiver is on file for public inspection at (the address of the cable operator's local place of business). Individuals who wish to comment on this request for waiver should mail comments to the Federal Communications Commission by no later than 30 days from (the date the notification was mailed to subscribers). Those comments should be addressed to the: Federal Communications Commission, Media Bureau, Washington, DC 20554, and should include the name of the cable operator to whom the comments are applicable. Individuals should also send a copy of their comments to (the cable operator at its local place of business). Cable operators may file comments in reply no later than 7 days from the date subscriber comments must be filed. 47 CFR 76.1621 states a cable system operators that use scrambling, encryption or similar technologies in conjunction with cable system terminal devices, as defined in Sec. 15.3(e) of this chapter, that may affect subscribers' reception of signals shall offer to supply each subscriber with special equipment that will enable the simultaneous reception of multiple signals. The equipment offered shall include a single terminal device with dual descramblers/decoders and/or timers and bypass switches. Other equipment, such as two independent set-top terminal devices may be offered at the same time that the single terminal device with dual tuners/descramblers is offered. For purposes of this rule, two set-top devices linked by a control system that provides functionality equivalent to that of a single device with dual descramblers is considered to be the same as a terminal device with dual descramblers/decoders. (a) The offer of special equipment shall be made to new subscribers at the time they subscribe and to all subscribers at least once each year (i.e., in subscriber billings or pre-printed information on the bill). [[Page 67352]] (b) Such special equipment shall, at a minimum, have the capability: (1) To allow simultaneous reception of any two scrambled or encrypted signals and to provide for tuning to alternative channels on a pre-programmed schedule; and (2) To allow direct reception of all other signals that do not need to be processed through descrambling or decryption circuitry (this capability can generally be provided through a separate by-pass switch or through internal by-pass circuitry in a cable system terminal device). (c) Cable system operators shall determine the specific equipment needed by individual subscribers on a case-by-case basis, in consultation with the subscriber. Cable system operators are required to make a good faith effort to provide subscribers with the amount and types of special equipment needed to resolve their individual compatibility problems. (d) Cable operators shall provide such equipment at the request of individual subscribers and may charge for purchase or lease of the equipment and its installation in accordance with the provisions of the rate regulation rules for customer premises equipment used to receive the basic service tier, as set forth in Sec. 76.923. Notwithstanding the required annual offering, cable operators shall respond to subscriber requests for special equipment for reception of multiple signals that are made at any time. Information Collection Requirements In October 2012, the Commission loosened its prohibition on encryption of the basic service tier. This rule change allows all- digital cable operators to encrypt, subject to certain consumer protection measures. 77 FR 67290 (Nov. 9, 2012); 47 CFR 76.630(a)(1). Encryption of all-digital cable service will allow cable operators to activate and/or deactivate cable service remotely, thus relieving many consumers of the need to wait at home to receive a cable technician when they sign up for or cancel cable service, or expand service to an existing cable connection in their home. In addition, encryption will reduce service theft by ensuring that only paying subscribers have decryption equipment. Encryption could reduce cable rates and reduce the theft that often degrades the quality of cable service received by paying subscribers. Encryption also will reduce the number of service calls necessary for manual installations and disconnections, which may have beneficial effects on vehicle traffic and the environment. Because this rule change allows cable operators to encrypt the basic service tier without filing a request for waiver, we expect that the number of requests for waiver will decrease significantly. 47 CFR 76.1622 states that Cable system operators shall provide a consumer education program on compatibility matters to their subscribers in writing, as follows: (a) The consumer information program shall be provided to subscribers at the time they first subscribe and at least once a year thereafter. Cable operators may choose the time and means by which they comply with the annual consumer information requirement. This requirement may be satisfied by a once-a-year mailing to all subscribers. The information may be included in one of the cable system's regular subscriber billings. (b) The consumer information program shall include the following information: (1) Cable system operators shall inform their subscribers that some models of TV receivers and videocassette recorders may not be able to receive all of the channels offered by the cable system when connected directly to the cable system. In conjunction with this information, cable system operators shall briefly explain, the types of channel compatibility problems that could occur if subscribers connected their equipment directly to the cable system and offer suggestions for resolving those problems. Such suggestions could include, for example, the use of a cable system terminal device such as a set-top channel converter. Cable system operators shall also indicate that channel compatibility problems associated with reception of programming that is not scrambled or encrypted programming could be resolved through use of simple converter devices without descrambling or decryption capabilities that can be obtained from either the cable system or a third party retail vendor. (2) In cases where service is received through a cable system terminal device, cable system operators shall indicate that subscribers may not be able to use special features and functions of their TV receivers and videocassette recorders, including features that allow the subscriber to: View a program on one channel while simultaneously recording a program on another channel; record two or more consecutive programs that appear on different channels; and, use advanced picture generation and display features such as ``Picture-in-Picture,'' channel review and other functions that necessitate channel selection by the consumer device. (3) In cases where cable system operators offer remote control capability with cable system terminal devices and other customer premises equipment that is provided to subscribers, they shall advise their subscribers that remote control units that are compatible with that equipment may be obtained from other sources, such as retail outlets. Cable system operators shall also provide a representative list of the models of remote control units currently available from retailers that are compatible with the customer premises equipment they employ. Cable system operators are required to make a good faith effort in compiling this list and will not be liable for inadvertent omissions. This list shall be current as of no more than six months before the date the consumer education program is distributed to subscribers. Cable operators are also required to encourage subscribers to contact the cable operator to inquire about whether a particular remote control unit the subscriber might be considering for purchase would be compatible with the subscriber's customer premises equipment. OMB Control Number: 3060-1104. Title: Section 73.682(d), DTV Transmission and Program System and Information Protocol (``PSIP'') Standards. Form Number: N/A. Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection. Respondents: Business or other for-profit entities; not for-profit institutions. Number of Respondents and Responses: 1,812 respondents and 1,812 respondents. Estimated Hours per Response: 0.50 hours. Frequency of Response: Third party disclosure requirement; weekly reporting requirement. Total Annual Burden: 47,112 hours. Total Annual Cost: None. Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. The statutory authority for this collection is contained in Sections 309 and 337 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended. Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: Confidentiality is not required with this collection of information. Privacy Impact Assessment: No impact(s). Needs and Uses: Section 73.682(d) of the Commission's rules incorporates by reference the Advanced Television Systems Committee, Inc. (``ATSC'') Program System and Information Protocol (``PSIP'') standard ``A/65C.'' PSIP data is transmitted along with a TV [[Page 67353]] broadcast station's digital signal and provides viewers (via their DTV receivers) with information about the station and what is being broadcast, such as program information. The Commission has recognized the utility that the ATSC PSIP standard offers for both broadcasters and consumers (or viewers) of digital television (``DTV''). ATSC PSIP standard A/65C requires broadcasters to provide detailed programming information when transmitting their broadcast signal. This standard enhances consumers' viewing experience by providing detailed information about digital channels and programs, such as how to find a program's closed captions, multiple streams and V-chip information. This standard requires broadcasters to populate the Event Information Tables (``EITs'') (or program guide) with accurate information about each event (or program) and to update the EIT if more accurate information becomes available. The previous ATSC PSIP standard A/65-B did not require broadcasters to provide such detailed programming information but only general information. Federal Communications Commission. Marlene H. Dortch, Secretary, Office of Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016-23613 Filed 9-29-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6712-01-P
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III. Exclusion for Peer Review any penalty for failing to comply with requests. The notice to subscribers must
Candidates a collection of information subject to the be mailed no later than thirty calendar
Important: Anyone wishing to be PRA that does not display a valid OMB days from the date the request waiver
considered as an expert peer reviewer control number. was filed with the Commission, and
must not submit comments during the DATES: Written PRA comments should cable operators must inform the
public comment period. Candidates on be submitted on or before November 29, Commission in writing, as soon as
the interim list not selected for the 2016. If you anticipate that you will be possible, of that notification date. The
panel peer review (see companion Peer submitting comments, but find it notification to subscribers must state:
Review Federal Register notice, difficult to do so within the period of On (date of waiver request was filed
published on September 30, 2016 will time allowed by this notice, you should with the Commission), (cable operator’s
be given a limited opportunity to submit advise the contact listed below as soon name) filed with the Federal
public comments once the final peer as possible. Communications Commission a request
reviewers are selected by Versar, Inc., for waiver of the rule prohibiting
ADDRESSES: Direct all PRA comments to
the EPA contractor managing this peer scrambling of channels on the basic tier
Cathy Williams, FCC, via email PRA@
review process. of service. The request for waiver states
fcc.gov and to Cathy.Williams@fcc.gov.
(a brief summary of the waiver request).
Dated: September 23, 2016. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For A copy of the request for waiver is on
Joel Beauvais, additional information about the file for public inspection at (the address
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of information collection, contact Cathy of the cable operator’s local place of
Water. Williams at (202) 418–2918. business).
[FR Doc. 2016–23606 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am] SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Individuals who wish to comment on
BILLING CODE 6560–50–P OMB Control Number: 3060–0667. this request for waiver should mail
Title: Section 76.630, Compatibility comments to the Federal
with Consumer Electronics Equipment; Communications Commission by no
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS Section 76.1621, Equipment later than 30 days from (the date the
COMMISSION Compatibility Offer; Section 76.1622, notification was mailed to subscribers).
Consumer Education of Equipment Those comments should be addressed to
[OMB 3060–0667 and 3060–1104] Compatibility. the: Federal Communications
Information Collections Being Form Number: Not applicable. Commission, Media Bureau,
Type of Review: Extension of a Washington, DC 20554, and should
Reviewed by the Federal
currently approved collection. include the name of the cable operator
Communications Commission
Respondents: Business or other for- to whom the comments are applicable.
AGENCY: Federal Communications profit entities. Individuals should also send a copy of
Commission. Number of Respondents and their comments to (the cable operator at
ACTION: Notice and request for Responses: 8,250 respondents; 66,501 its local place of business). Cable
comments. responses. operators may file comments in reply no
Estimated Time per Response: .017 later than 7 days from the date
SUMMARY: As part of its continuing effort hours-3 hours. subscriber comments must be filed.
to reduce paperwork burdens, and as Frequency of Response: 47 CFR 76.1621 states a cable system
required by the Paperwork Reduction Recordkeeping and third party operators that use scrambling,
Act (PRA) of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501– disclosure requirements; On occasion encryption or similar technologies in
3520), the Federal Communications reporting requirement. conjunction with cable system terminal
Commission (FCC or Commission) Obligation to Respond: Required to devices, as defined in § 15.3(e) of this
invites the general public and other obtain or retain benefits. The statutory chapter, that may affect subscribers’
Federal agencies to take this authority for this collection is contained reception of signals shall offer to supply
opportunity to comment on the in Section 4(i) and Section 632 of the each subscriber with special equipment
following information collections. Communications Act of 1934, as that will enable the simultaneous
Comments are requested concerning: amended. reception of multiple signals. The
whether the proposed collection of Total Annual Burden: 17,353 hours. equipment offered shall include a single
information is necessary for the proper Total Annual Cost: $1,355. terminal device with dual descramblers/
performance of the functions of the Privacy Act Impact Assessment: No decoders and/or timers and bypass
Commission, including whether the impact(s). switches. Other equipment, such as two
information shall have practical utility; Nature and Extent of Confidentiality: independent set-top terminal devices
the accuracy of the Commission’s There is no need for confidentiality with may be offered at the same time that the
burden estimate; ways to enhance the this collection of information. single terminal device with dual tuners/
quality, utility, and clarity of the Needs and Uses: 47 CFR 76.630(a) descramblers is offered. For purposes of
information collected; ways to minimize states a cable system operator shall not this rule, two set-top devices linked by
the burden of the collection of scramble or otherwise encrypt signals a control system that provides
information on the respondents, carried on the basic service tier. This functionality equivalent to that of a
including the use of automated requirement is subject to certain single device with dual descramblers is
collection techniques or other forms of exemptions explained below. Requests considered to be the same as a terminal
information technology; and ways to for waivers of this prohibition, which device with dual descramblers/
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further reduce the information are allowed under 47 CFR 76.630(a)(2), decoders.
collection burden on small business must demonstrate either a substantial (a) The offer of special equipment
concerns with fewer than 25 employees. problem with theft of basic tier service shall be made to new subscribers at the
The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a or a strong need to scramble basic time they subscribe and to all
collection of information unless it signals for other reasons. As part of this subscribers at least once each year (i.e.,
displays a currently valid OMB control showing, cable operators are required to in subscriber billings or pre-printed
number. No person shall be subject to notify subscribers by mail of waiver information on the bill).
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 190 / Friday, September 30, 2016 / Notices 67353
broadcast station’s digital signal and operate demonstrations authorized by based survey and the telephone survey
provides viewers (via their DTV section 1130 of the Social Security Act, focused on understanding practice and
receivers) with information about the as amended by the Child and Family systems-level changes within child
station and what is being broadcast, Services Improvement and Innovation welfare service systems. Data collected
such as program information. The Act, Public Law 112–34. The through these instruments will be used
Commission has recognized the utility demonstrations involve waivers of by the Children’s Bureau to gain an
that the ATSC PSIP standard offers for certain provisions of the foster care understanding of the jurisdictions’
both broadcasters and consumers (or program authorized by title IV–E of the collective experience with
viewers) of digital television (‘‘DTV’’). Social Security Act. Child welfare implementing their demonstrations.
ATSC PSIP standard A/65C requires agencies in waiver jurisdictions are
broadcasters to provide detailed operating demonstrations to implement Respondents: The respondents to the
programming information when a variety of programs and interventions Web-Based Survey will be a purposive
transmitting their broadcast signal. This that serve children and families in an sample of an estimated 250 waiver
standard enhances consumers’ viewing effort to improve their safety, jurisdiction representatives and
experience by providing detailed permanency, and well-being. Each evaluators drawn from the 25 waiver
information about digital channels and waiver jurisdiction is required to jurisdictions with waiver demonstration
programs, such as how to find a conduct a third-party evaluation of its projects (Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado,
program’s closed captions, multiple demonstration. The National Study will Hawaii, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine,
streams and V-chip information. This examine the extent to which safety, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
standard requires broadcasters to permanency, and well-being outcomes Nebraska, Nevada, New York,
populate the Event Information Tables have improved for children and Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Port
(‘‘EITs’’) (or program guide) with families; the characteristics of waiver Gamble S’Klallam Tribe, Rhode Island,
accurate information about each event jurisdictions where improvements in Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington,
(or program) and to update the EIT if outcomes have occurred; expenditure Washington DC, West Virginia,
more accurate information becomes patterns and the types of activities for Wisconsin). The respondents will be
available. The previous ATSC PSIP which waiver jurisdictions have identified by the 25 jurisdiction
standard A/65–B did not require increased funding; and the extent to demonstration project leaders using the
broadcasters to provide such detailed which waiver jurisdictions have Web-Based Survey Sampling Form. The
programming information but only experienced practice and systems-level Web-Based Survey Sampling Form and
general information. changes. the Web-Based Survey will be
Federal Communications Commission.
The National Study uses a mixed- administered once during the National
method approach to examine 25 waiver Study. The respondents to the
Marlene H. Dortch,
jurisdictions (including 23 states, the Measuring Well-Being telephone survey
Secretary, Office of Secretary. District of Columbia and one tribal
[FR Doc. 2016–23613 Filed 9–29–16; 8:45 am]
will be a census sample of the 23
government) with Terms and Conditions evaluators identified from the 23 waiver
BILLING CODE 6712–01–P approved in Federal Fiscal years 2012, jurisdictions who are involved with the
2013, and 2014. Proposed data assessment of child and family well-
collection methods are two topically-
being in their waiver jurisdictions. The
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND focused telephone surveys: (a) A
HUMAN SERVICES Measuring Well-Being telephone survey
telephone survey of waiver jurisdiction
will be administered once during the
representatives and evaluators who are
Administration for Children and National Study. The respondents to the
focused on measuring well-being, and
Families (b) a second telephone survey of waiver Practice and Systems-Level Change
jurisdiction representatives and telephone survey will be a purposive
Submission for OMB Review; sample of 60 respondents identified
evaluators that is focused on
Comment Request from 14 waiver jurisdictions who are
understanding practice and systems-
Title: National Study of Title IV–E level changes within child welfare knowledgeable about practice, policy,
Child Welfare Waiver Demonstrations. service systems. Also proposed is a and organizational changes in their
OMB No.: New Collection. Web-based survey of waiver jurisdiction respective waiver jurisdictions. The
Description: The National Study of representatives and evaluators that will respondents will be identified by the 14
the Title IV–E Child Welfare Waiver look more broadly at the jurisdiction demonstration project
Demonstrations is sponsored by the implementation of waiver leaders using the Practice- and Systems-
Children’s Bureau, Administration for demonstrations and corresponding Level Change Survey Sampling Form.
Children and Families of the U.S. changes in child welfare policy, The Practice- and Systems-Level Change
Department of Health and Human practice, and financing. Two sampling Survey Sampling Form and the Practice
Services and involves the conduct of a survey forms are being proposed to and Systems-Level Change telephone
cross-site study of jurisdictions (referred collect the necessary contact survey will be administered once during
to as waiver jurisdictions) approved to information for respondents to the Web- the National Study.
ANNUAL BURDEN ESTIMATES
Number of Average
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Number of Total burden
Instrument responses per burden hours
respondents hours
respondent per response
Web-Based Survey Sampling Form ................................................................ 25 1 0.33 8.25
Web-Based Survey .......................................................................................... 250 1 0.33 82.5
Measuring Well-Being Telephone Survey ....................................................... 23 1 1 23
Practice- and Systems-Level Change Survey Sampling Form ....................... 14 1 0.25 3.5
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Document Created: 2018-02-09 13:34:08
Document Modified: 2018-02-09 13:34:08
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice and request for comments. | |
| Dates | Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before November 29, 2016. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible. | |
| Contact | For additional information about the information collection, contact Cathy Williams at (202) 418-2918. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 67351 |
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